This can only lead to disappointment as you can never consistently and permanently be the best in comparison to others.

To look at it another way, we generally tend to define success as a comparison to others. Our confusion in our own identity leads to a delusional and unachievable understanding of success. It quite often eludes us because our definition is based on someone else’s achievements, abilities, environment, upbringing, etc.

It comes down to how we define success for ourselves.

Materialism is wonderful no doubt, but it burdens us with endless anxiety and craving to possess more, to acquire and aggrandize, and to indulge in slavish attachment.

man cannot feel happy in his ambitions and live contented in his relationships with others, merely because he has plenty of food, clothing, shelter and all other amenities of a peaceful and efficient national life.

It is obvious that the blessings of materialism can remove the agony of poverty, the sorrows of illness, the discomforts of a limited life within any underdeveloped community.

We are talking of the religion that helps one to discover within oneself a new strength and vitality to face one's own challenges in life and the science that provides a new courage of conviction to live honestly serving others.

A certain amount of knowledge of the inner spiritual constitution of man will give him more mastery over his own life.

All our success depends upon ourselves (pg 2).

'we must realise that we have within ourselves all the resources, ability, energy and power for building a supremely successful life for ourselves and others in the world.' (pg 1) (If you are based in Sydney, you can also purchase the book in person from the Ashram in Castle Hill.)

If you don't have a copy of Self Unfoldment, you can view an online copy here or order a physical copy here. Feel free to comment on anyone else's reflections as long as your comments are on topic and not inflammatory or needlessly controversial. Please have a look through all of the top-level comments below (the bolded comments), and press the 'reply' button under the relevant comment to answer each of the 5 questions to the best of your ability. Chapter One is only 7 pages long, so have a read through and then once you are ready answer the questions below. Swami Shrikarananda from Chinmaya Mission, Sydney, Australia (hereafter respectfully referred to as 'Swamiji') will be available to clarify any doubts we may have along the way. We will be collectively reading A Manual Of Self Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda (hereafter respectfully referred to as 'Gurudev'), and reflecting on our learnings.

Self unfoldment swami chinmayananda pdf